Eduardo Honold is the director of Adult Education at HCDE. Honold holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Denison University and a doctorate in political science from Northwestern University. Before joining HCDE in 2009, he was a coordinator at Socorro ISD. Honold's achievements include membership in the Gulf Coast Workforce Development Board. His professional affiliations include the Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education and the Commission on Basic Adult Education.

Rosa Maria Torres is the chief accounting officer of Business Services at HCDE. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southwest Texas State University. Before joining HCDE in 2010, she worked as finance director at Cotulla ISD. Her achievements include the first accomplished Government Finance Officers Association award received by HCDE on the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Her professional affiliations include Texas Association of School Board Officials and the Government Finance Officers Association.

Lisa Thompson Caruthers is the director of the Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment at HCDE. She holds a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a master's degree in social work from Washington University and a doctorate from University of Houston's Graduate School of Social Work. Before joining HCDE in 2001, she worked as an organization development coordinator at the Houston Arts Alliance. Her professional affiliations included the American Leadership Forum and the Texas Partnership for Out-of-School Time.

Gayla Rawlinson-Maynard is the director of Center for Grants Development at HCDE. She holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master's degree in sociology/social research from Sam Houston State University. Before joining HCDE in 1999, she was manager of the Funding Source at University of Houston. Rawlinson-Maynard's achievements and accomplishments include establishment of the Southeast Texas chapter of Grant Professionals Association. Her professional affiliations include Women Professionals in Government.

Ecomet Burley is the director of the Center for Safe and Secure Schools at HCDE. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Texas Tech University and a master's degree in public administration and supervision from Stephen F. Austin University. Before joining HCDE in 2015, he was superintendent at La Marque Independent School District. Burley's achievements and accomplishments include being a 30-year educator with 27 years in administration at all levels. He was also honored as the all-time best defensive tackle for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team.

Jeffrey Drury is the director of Choice Partners cooperative at HCDE. Drury holds a a bachelor’s degree in industrial distribution from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. Before joining HCDE in 2015, Drury had 20-plus years of sales, marketing and management experience in facility-related areas. His achievements and accomplishments include serving as supervising senior auditor for a corporate internal audit team of a Fortune 50 company. His professional affiliations include the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions.

Tammy Lanier is the director of the communication division at HCDE. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in communication from Southern University and A&M College. Before joining HCDE in 2002, she worked as the director of communications and public relations at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law and Jesse H. Jones School of Business. Tammy’s affiliations include the Texas School Public Relations Association, The Links, Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America.

Lidia G. Zatopek is the director of Education Certification and Professional Advancement at HCDE. Zatopek holds a bachelor's degree in Russian Studies and a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of Houston. Before joining HCDE in 2001, she worked as the Principal Certification Academy manager at Houston ISD. Zatopek's achievements include being president of Texas Alternative Certification Association. Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Alternative Certification and the Texas Council of Women School Executives.

Jay Atkins is the director of construction of Facilities Support Services at HCDE. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University. Before joining HCDE in 2007, he was director of engineering services at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital. Atkins' achievements include being a licensed professional engineer and an accredited Texas energy manager. His professional affiliations include the Texas Association of School Business Officials and Texas Energy Managers Association.

Venetia L. Peacock is the senior director of Head Start at HCDE. Venetia holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Houston and a master's degree in business from LeTourneau University. Before joining HCDE in 2000, she worked as Early Childhood Quality Initiative Coordinator at Iniative for Children, Inc. Peacock's achievements include a UCLA Head Start Management Fellowship. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Head Start Association Board and the University of Houston Athletic Alliance Board.

Natasha Truitt is the executive director of Human Resources at HCDE. Truitt holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in business administration from Texas Southern University. Before joining HCDE in 1995, she worked at Charity Hospital. Truitt's achievements and accomplishments include SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management - certified professional) and PHR (professional in human resources) certifications.

Bill Monroe is the director of purchasing at HCDE. Monroe holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Texas Tech. Before joining HCDE in 2015, he worked as director of purchasing at Calallen ISD. Monroe's achievements and accomplishments include CPA certification, CPPO certification and TASBO certification. Monroe's professional affiliations include TASBO and TxPPA.

Curtis W. Davis is the director of Records Management Services at HCDE. Davis holds an associate's degree in accounting from Massey Business College. Before joining HCDE in 2002, he worked as an accounts manager at Iron Mountain Records & Information Management. His achievements include employee of the year at Iron Mountain in 1991. He is a member of the Association of Records Managers and is certified through the Health Insurance and Portability Act.

Darlene Breaux is the director of the Research and Evaluation Institute at HCDE. Breax is a national trainer, former principal and special services coordinator who has served 19 years in education. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University and a master’s degree in educational management with principal certification from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Her credentials include certifications in both English as a second language and special education, and she is a member of Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society. She is active in her community as a board member for the Alief YMCA.

Carie Crabb is the senior director of School-Based Therapy Services at HCDE. She graduated from Houston Community College and later obtained her master’s degree in physical therapy from Texas Women’s University. Before being named senior director, Crabb served as a therapist with HCDE at various school districts in Harris County. Her achievements include serving on the advisory board for the Houston Community College and Wharton County Junior College Physical Therapy Assistant programs and being a guest lecturer at the Texas Women’s University doctoral program for physical therapy.

Anthony Mays is the senior director of the schools division at HCDE. He is a 15-year education leader and holds a bachelor's degree from Huston-Tillotson College, a master's degree from Texas State University and is currently earning his doctorate degree from Tarleton State University. Before joining HCDE, Mays served as a principal at Emmett J. Conrad High School in the Dallas Independent School District. Mays is a member of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals and is listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

Mindy Robertson is the principal of AB School East at HCDE. She holds a bachelor's degree from University of Southwestern Louisiana and a master's degree in special education from Prairie View A&M University. Before joining HCDE in 2008, she worked as assistant principal at Alief ISD. Robertson's achievements include principal and special education certifications. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.

Victor Keys is the principal of AB School West at HCDE. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, a master's degree in counseling and a doctorate in education administration from Texas Southern University. Before joining HCDE in 2007, he worked as interim principal at Booker T. Washington High School. Keys was featured on CNN as an education expert as he shared his views on dropout prevention. His professional affiliations include the Texas Association for Alternative Education and the Council of Administrators of Special Education.

Marion Cooksey is the principal of Highpoint School East at HCDE. Cooksey holds a master's degree in educational administration from Texas Southern University and a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Texas Southern. Before joining HCDE in 2006, he worked as assistant principal at North Forest ISD. Cooksey's professional affiliations include Texas Association for Alternative Education and Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.

Recovery High School Fortis Academy

Anthony Moten is the principal of the recovery high school at HCDE. He holds an undergraduate degree from Langston University, a master’s degree in education administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a doctorate degree from Lamar University. Before joining HCDE in 2017, he was the longtime leader and principal at West Orange Middle School in West Orange Independent School District. Moten helped transform the school that was failing to meet state standards. Under his leadership, West Orange earned eight Texas Education Agency distinctions.

Frances Watson-Hester is the senior director of the Teaching and Learning Center at HCDE. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Grambling State University and master's degrees in counseling and administration from Texas Southern University. Before joining HCDE in 2015, Watson-Hester was a middle school principal at Lamar Consolidated ISD. Her achievements include being named principal of the year in 2008-2009.

Arthur Vu is the director of Technology Services at HCDE. He earned his bachelor's degree in information systems technology from the University of Houston School of Technology. Before joining HCDE in 2002, he worked as a systems integrator for a privately held marketing and communications company. His professional affiliations include the Texas Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), Texas K-12 CTO Council and FBI InfraGard.